MeMeMEEE

It started out here and there and eventually there all the time - was taking vicodin and eventually that didn't touch it. It was all referred pain from the abscess from the leak pushing on the diaphragm.

My doctor checks with the scope before he closes. My leak only opened when the swelling went down. Then the first test didn't show it (standing up) but when they did the second one (laying down) it showed.

I had left shoulder and side pain - my only indicator of my leak. Definitely speak to a surgeon - see if they can do a leak test for you, make sure they do it laying down so you roll to your sides.

My only symptom was left shoulder pain which I had from almost the beginning - they told me it was probably acid reflux. I also could never eat how much they said I should. I probably had a fever but was on pain meds for shoulder. I got hiccups a few days before. My ferritin level was high but my saturation and Iron were low. That's what finally clued them in and the hematologist did a CT scan.

I still have a ways to go but have had some of these problems as well: Only spending 15 minutes in Goodwill because there was 3 cute shirts in the size I needed right off the bat. Being able to sit up to get out of bed instead of rolling out. Sitting in the bath tub and not touching each side.

My advice is also keep contacting your doctor!!! I took a month off as my dr recommends 2-4 weeks, at 4 weeks I still didn't feel well and it went down hill for me - until they discovered a leak around 9 weeks. I wish I had pressed harder about how I felt, they just poo-poo'd me and told me to get more calories, upped my ppi, etc. If you don't feel right make them understand it!! I listened to everyone on here say it got better at 2 weeks, 4 weeks, 6 weeks, etc and it didn't for me. I decided maybe I was just a baby and this was the new normal for me. I am relieved they finally found the problem and am in the healing process now.

same for me

Do other liquids besides water go down ok? If so, drink what works - any liquids count for your fluid intake. I found warm liquids worked best for me - decaf coffee/tea, broth, hot chocolate, etc. I agree the diarrhea is normal at this stage.

Didn't weigh today - no real loss showing while I am on this feeding tube getting 1200-1500 calories a day, up 4 lbs from my lowest but that is holding steady so it's ok by me. My new years wish is to heal and get rid of the tubes! Hoping that I will experience some nice loss when I do as the tube goes in to my intestine so nothing in my tummy for months should keep my restriction, right?

I have to disagree as well, I followed my rules to a T, even to the point of my nutritionist telling me I was being too strict with myself. Low and behold, a leak discovered at 9 weeks out. They have assured me it was nothing I did.

Feeling a little sad seeing all of you moving ahead while I sit here with this leak I am hoping for good news in the new year, ready to be back on track.

Sending prayers to you!

ask about the dosage of tylenol - they don't seem to want me to take more than 375 at a time - not sure if that is related to the sleeve or not. I did take tablets once - just one extra strength - and found taking the junior helped better - maybe because it doesn't have to digest as much?

There is a liquid adult but it is nasty. I took junior chewables, 3 did the trick. My Dr says no more ibuprofen also, unless supervised by him. Pink and puffy is ok I believe, it is when it is red you need to worry.

It can happen. Mine was discovered at about 9 weeks out. Know the symptoms and if something doesn't feel right don't let them put you off. My ONLY symptom was left shoulder pain, from about one month out. They kept telling me it was acid reflux. Finally a bad lab made them look in to it further. It sounds like you had your band removed at the same time? It seems like there can be more damage to the stomach from that and more risk of leaks. If you look up Tiffykins she had complications and leak with her band to sleeve. Leaks are rare but they do happen. I had no idea I had one, was convinced I had no complications. Because I didn't have multiple symptoms the doctors didn't come to that conclusion either. Don't be paranoid but be aware of your body and if you do have any symptoms make sure your doctor checks everything to your satisfaction.

Oh my gosh! I'm going through a leak right now and hate to think of a recurrence! I completely understand about just wanting to feel normal again. I pray for you it is all because of stress. On the bypass note, I was told it is a cure for acid reflux - that may be why they are suggesting it? I would be concerned also with being so far below goal already! Keep us posted.

My program says 15 mins before and 30 mins after as a rule. However my NUT told me it was ok for me to do what I need to do - I was having alot of problems getting fluids in the more I ate because of the rule. I was told I was imposing too many rules on myself but was just trying to follow the written rules!

I'm so glad they sent you for a CT!! Hope they figure out what you did soon!

I haven't eaten out much since my sleeve but did ALLLL the time before. I have had some complications and not gotten out much, now on a feeding tube, nothing by mouth. I guess my biggest issue is trying to order something that will reheat well or my husband will eat. It is so pricey to waste it. On the flip side, my pocket book seems to be overflowing with money now!

Oh so glad to hear! Sounds like you had a great but busy day! Congratulations on a great loss so far! And way to go on all the walking!! The first few stages you go through after the sleeve certainly seem a strange diet!! Can you have mayo or greek yogurt? If so you can make you hard boiled egg in to egg salad! If you can have broth, you could make homemade egg drop Soup...haha I found so many things to do with eggs! I guess when I start eating again I will get to go through all my stages again I am actually feeling really well but I don't go back to the Dr until after the first of the year. I am on my antibiotics until the 27th and then praying no more infections! So far I have had about a week in between antibiotics where I feel better then start to feel bad again. Thank you so much for the prayers!

Checking in on you! How did your follow up go? Hoping to hear you were advanced on your diet and all is well!!

If you are on facebook, there are some great Sleeve groups - VSG For ME and Smart, Strong, and Sexy Sleevers! (4S) are two of my favorites. Another group I am in is WLS - there are members that have had all sorts of wls surgery but a fair amount of sleevers too - it is the largest group I am in. They are all closed groups so only members see your posts - still very private. My hospital doesn't have alot of sleeves either - when I began my journey it was around 12 I believe. Our support group doesn't usually have but 2-3 who have been sleeved and a few more that are in process. I find so much of my support online. I have heard BAD things about taking flintstones - in the WLS facebook group there is a very knowledgeable lady writing a book about Vitamins and WLS and it is great to get info from her. She had RNY and developed rickets taking flintstones which has made her really dive in to research. She recommends centrium (or the store brand equal to), 1 a day. I switched to them myself as the bariatric chewables began to make me sick. I haven't gotten results on my 3 month labs yet so not sure how it worked. I have since began dealing with a leak now and so unable to take anything by mouth so just getting my nutrients and vitamins from the osmolite.

I had to get 64 oz down in a day before I left the hospital. It is tough in the beginning. Remember ALL fluids count, meds, water, protein, etc. Have you tried the sugar free Popsicles or sugar free jello? They count also. I could eat a popsicle in minutes but it would take 30 mins to get the same in water down. You don't want to get dehydrated!

I had shoulder pain off and on from the beginning and I blamed it on sleeping it on it wrong. In the end it was my only symptom of a leak. Eventually it began to hurt all the time. I never had a temp. I also eventually had hiccups and I guess that is a leak symptom as well. Listen to your body

http://www.dvdfab.com/free.htm it's the second one - free